Barga - Duomo San Cristiofano

The delightful (and thoroughly recommended) walk up through the steep, narrow alleyways of the medieval town center (centro storico) of Barga to the cathedral is rewarded with splendid views of the surrounding countryside. The rather plain facade of the three-aisled church (ninth-15th century) is characteristic of Lombard Romanesque. Above the 12th century doorway, flanked by a pair of column- borne lions, is a relief depicting the grape harvest. The outstanding feature of the interior is a lovely marble pulpit (second half of the 13th century) carved all round with reliefs of the Adoration of the Magi, the Nativity, the Annunciation and the Prophet Isaiah. It is raised on four red marble columns, two supported by lions and one by the crouching figure of a bearded man.